Rick Hughes (San Juan County Council District 2, Washington, candidate 2024)

Rick Hughes

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Nonpartisan

Candidate, San Juan County Council District 2

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 6, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

Southern Methodist University, 1990

Personal

Birthplace

Overland Park, Kan.

Religion

Christian

Profession

Pharmacy

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Rick Hughes ran for election to the San Juan County Council District 2 in Washington. He was on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024.^[source]

Hughes completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Rick Hughes provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on October 9, 2024:

• Birth date: June 13, 1968
• Birth place: Overland Park, Kansas
• High school: Lake Forest High School, Lake Forest, Ilinois
• Bachelor's: Southern Methodist University, 1990
• Gender: Male
• Religion: Christian
• Profession: Pharmacy
• Prior offices held:
  • San Juan County Council Member, District # 2 Orcas, Blakley and Waldron Island (2013-2020)
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign slogan: Community Moving Forward
• Campaign website
• Campaign endorsements
• Campaign Facebook
• Campaign YouTube video

Elections

General election

General election for San Juan County Council District 2

Rick Hughes and Justin Paulsen ran in the general election for San Juan County Council District 2 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Rick Hughes (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Justin Paulsen (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for San Juan County Council District 2

Rick Hughes, Justin Paulsen, and Jonathan Jonnie Welch ran in the primary for San Juan County Council District 2 on August 6, 2024.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Rick Hughes (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Justin Paulsen (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Jonathan Jonnie Welch (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Endorsements

To view Hughes's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Hughes in this election.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Rick Hughes completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Hughes' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Rick Hughes and I am a third generation Orcas Islander.

I served as a San Juan County Council member for District #2, Orcas and Waldron Island from 2013-2020. My wife, Marlace and I operate Ray’s Pharmacy in Eastsound and have been serving the community since 2006.

I have proven experience and leadership skills necessary to help run the county and have made connections regionally, in Olympia and with the federal government that will help San Juan County in the future.

I have experience with transportation, budgeting, renewable energy, housing and senior services. During the Covid Pandemic, Ray’s Pharmacy provided over 5,000 + covid vaccines.

Being a San Juan County Council Member was the best job I have ever had. Serving San Juan County has been the biggest honor of my life. I would like the opportunity to continue the work I started, finish the mega watt solar install on County buildings, help renew the Land Bank and help stabilize the budget process. I want to help improve service on Washington State Ferries for the community and get back to work in Olympia and in DC.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I want to make San Juan County boring again. The county needs to be a trusted entity by the community and we need to provide services that the community expects in a timely and predicable manor. County staff needs to focus on customer service and work as hard as possible with the public to provide the service desired.
• The top sections that need careful focus are the land use, housing, and water elements of the Comprehensive Plan. These elements of the plan are crucial to all of the top issues that the County faces. In building more affordable housing, we need to understand where it can located, what water resources could serve that new housing, and where it is acceptable to have higher density if needed. Expanding the availability of renewable energy in the County also means we need clarity on where we can locate power generation and how it can be permitted.
• I have a long track record as a San Juan County Council member and FAC member. Many of the positive changes happening at WSF were ideas that I helped create or that I fought for in Seattle and Olympia. I will work with WSF daily and work with federal and state partners to find dedicated ferry funding. I will continue to support the construction of new boats, fund the terminal upgrade in Anacortes, convert the second slip in Friday Harbor and return the Anacortes to Sidney route. We will find reliable inter-island LOS and support passenger-only ferries in SJC.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Basic governance, Housing, transportation, food sovereignty and the environment. I love San Juan County more than anything besides my family.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

County Government is the most important part of the state system. Local Government collects the sales tax and property tax, (Revenue), conducts fair and free elections (Access), provides law enforcement (Protection), Provides public defense, Freedom), provides Judicial Review (Freedom), provides juries of our peers, provides local health services (safety), environmental protection (Climate) and can fill any hole that is not covered by the state or federal government (plastic bag ban, drug take back, etc.) all with the micro scrutiny of the public. Only elected officials that see constituents daily at the grocery store, pharmacy, restaurants (accountability).

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to my father, uncle and both grand parents. I'm proud to be a Washington Hughes. My grandfather was the secretary treasurer of the Pacific Coast Papermill in Bellingham and was a Bellingham City Council Person. My family has served the NW for over 130 years.

Service above self are words to live by. I have been brought up by a family that loves the NW and feels the need to serve the community so all have access to opportunities. My family has lived in Whatcom County since before statehood and has served on almost every board or agency in Whatcom County.

The example is to help everyone possible. To serve your community and to try and do at least one act of kindness every day.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

West Wing, the Diplomat and Madame Secretary. We need balanced, pragmatic and logical leadership that comes from a desire to serve and not the body politic or ego.

My family has always brought forward an ethos of service above self and I have felt that calling to serve my community. I have served on volunteer boards most of my life and felt it was time for me to serve San Juan County. As we all know, one board leads to the next. I felt that the county did not always treat the community fairly and instead of complaining about what I saw as issues, I stepped forward to work with the community to help make the County a better partner in the daily lives of residents. The county has done a good job moving forward with an accessible housing action plan, that with the help of the voters approved affordable housing REET, has enabled the county to grant almost three million dollars toward active accessible housing construction. I would like to see the county deploy one megawatt of renewable energy generation, continue the execution of construction of accessible housing, build an off road bike/trail network and continue to diversify our local economy.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

To be fair, honest and transparent. You need to have the ability to make hard decision and be a leader.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I'm an honest, principled, fair, honest person of great integrity. Government just makes sense to me and I have the ability to bring people together to help and solve complex problems.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

A San Juan County Council member needs to be an honest, fair, reasonable person who is willing to tackle the issues present and to strive for out of the box ideas that will help the entire community. A leader needs to be bold, reflective, responsible, reliable, open, adaptable, honest, have integrity, a desire to serve and the ability to solve problems without a desire to win.

Council members need to be able to juggle many different issues at the same time and not lose focus on any. Budgeting and county financials are the single most important role and a good council member needs to be able to understand a complex, layered government budget and understand that the budget is the law and the legal authority for budget and policy.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to be remembered as someone who loved, cared about and served my community.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

1976, the bi-centennial and the freedom train. The Ford Carter election.

in 1976, my mother was the curator for the Native revolutionary War collection at the Nelson Art Gallery in Kansas City and the exhibit did an exchange with a London Art Gallery for the celebration. I was able to join my parents in London and we celebrated the 200 years of being a country at St James Place/Palace and met the Queen (Elizabeth), Prince Charles, the Prime Minister and the VP of the United States, Nelson Rockefeller. Forever changed my life.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I waws a delivery person for Lake Forest Flowers and was able to learn how to drive in a jeep Wagoneer in the craziest snow that Chicago could offer.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Where is Joe Merchant by Jimmy Buffett. This book reminds me of the San Juan Islands, even though it is based in the Florida Keys. Jimmy Buffett is my hero and the entire book is based on a Grumman Albatross, my favorite aircraft.

It is an adventure, random and full of excitement. It has the reluctant hero and good people do finish first.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Frank Bama from "Where is Joe Merchant", And of Course Rick from Casablanca, He is who I would want to be or try to be. Always doing the right thing, no matter the outcome.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Sugar Magnolia. I have a huge Dead Head.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

To maintain a level of service that gives back to the level I have received.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Local government can create Ordnances that address subjects not covered by State or Federal legislation. For example, Local government can make it illegal to have fish net pens in our county or as when I was in office we created legislation that outlawed marketing Vape devices to anyone under 19.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes. I have eight years of experience as the San Juan County Council Member from District #2, Orcas, Blakley and Waldron Island. I served as the Chair of our Council three times including during the Pandemic and San Juan County was the safest County in the US. I have run EOC, I have served on Statewide Boards and I have built coalitions in support of San Juan County and helped Eastern Washington Counties have a voice in Olympia.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

First and foremost, you need to be able to understand code. I have read most of the US Constitution, State RCW's, San Juan County Charter and the San Juan County Code. Code just makes sense to me. You need to be able how to establish a vision and leadership plan, like, respect and learn from county employees. You need to understand complex budgets and scenarios. Kindness and empathy are so important and respect for every single employee in the organization.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the local government?

San Juan Council Members are the leaders of San Juan County and important members of the local government team. San Juan County Council members are the Legislative, Executive and Administrative authority of San Juan County.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Not really a joke person.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Planned Parenthood of Washington, Washington Conservation Action (see below for endorsements), entire 40th Legislative team, WA Secretary of State, US Congressman Rick Larson, Wa ST Commissioner of Public Lands, Hillary Franz and many more.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Transparency and accountability are two of the most important things about local government. I pledge to be part of an open, accountable and transparent government.

A transparent and collaborative local government is essential for fostering trust between citizens and their leaders. It ensures that government actions and decisions are open to scrutiny, accountability, and public confidence. Such an approach empowers citizens, encourages civic engagement, and strengthens democracy by making government more responsive and effective in meeting the needs of its constituents.

I pledge to work with all islanders to find solutions that solve county wide problems or island specific issues. If you have a question, ask and I will do my best to spend time with you understanding and acting on your issues.

I want to give voice to all in the community, especially those underserved and unheard.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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